Co-channel Occupancy Message for Cellular Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular communication networks, particularly in 5G and future 6G systems, there is a need for improved radio resource management to enable efficient co-channel resource utilization between different radio access technologies (RATs) like NR and LTE, as existing methods fail to effectively manage overlapping resources, leading to potential collisions and Automatic Gain Control issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine overlapping co-channel resources between different RATs and transmit a co-channel occupancy message to occupy these resources, ensuring that NR SL transmissions do not interfere with LTE SL transmissions by reserving specific slots for NR SL communications, even when LTE UEs are unaware of the NR SL slot structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If co-channel resources are shared between different radio access technologies, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but resource collisions and interference between technologies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting a co-channel occupancy message before actual data transmission to reserve co-channel resources. The occupying apparatus sends this message in advance to indicate its intention to use specific time-frequency resources, allowing other apparatus to detect and avoid collisions. This proactive resource reservation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high resource utilization while preventing interference through advance notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The co-channel occupancy message acts as an intermediary mechanism between different radio access technologies. Instead of direct interference between NR and LTE transmissions, the occupancy message mediates resource allocation by conveying resource usage intentions. This intermediary signal enables coordinated resource sharing while preventing harmful interference, thus improving both utilization efficiency and collision avoidance.
2Reliability
If co-channel resources are reserved for specific radio access technology transmissions, then interference between technologies is reduced, but resource flexibility and sharing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource reservation through the co-channel occupancy message mechanism. Rather than static resource allocation, the occupying apparatus dynamically reserves resources by transmitting occupancy messages when needed. The resource reservation is flexible and adaptable - apparatus can occupy resources temporarily for specific transmissions and release them afterward. This dynamic approach maintains interference avoidance while preserving resource sharing flexibility across different radio access technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of resource allocation from static to dynamic through the occupancy message mechanism. The resource reservation status is not fixed but changes based on transmission needs. When an apparatus has data to transmit, it changes the resource state from shared to occupied by sending the occupancy message. This parameter change enables the system to adapt resource allocation to actual traffic conditions, maintaining both interference avoidance and flexibility.
3Reliability
If feedback channel resources are occupied for one radio access technology, then transmission reliability for that technology is improved, but resource availability for other technologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through autonomous resource occupation and release. The occupying apparatus autonomously decides when to occupy feedback channel resources based on its own transmission needs, sends the occupancy message independently, and can release resources when no longer needed. This self-service mechanism allows each apparatus to manage its own resource requirements while respecting others' needs, improving feedback channel reliability for active transmissions while maintaining overall resource availability through autonomous release when occupation is no longer necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising, determining, by an apparatus, that co-channel resources in at least one selected slot for transmissions using a first radio access technology overlaps with co-channel resources for transmissions using a second radio access technology and that the co-channel resources are not reserved by another apparatus using the first radio access technology and transmitting by the apparatus, based at least on said determination, a co-channel occupancy message using at least a part of the co-channel resources in the at least one selected slot to occupy the co-channel resources in the at least one selected slot for transmissions using the first radio access technology wherein the at least one selected slot comprises feedback channel resources.